Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, cheesy slice of pizza bread that's bursting with flavor, without the hassle of traditional pizza-making. This Bread Machine Pizza Bread is about to revolutionize your home baking game, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece that will have your family and friends begging for more. Forget bland store-bought breads – this recipe combines the comfort of fresh-baked bread with the irresistible taste of classic pizza in one incredible loaf!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before beginning. Verify that the water is precisely 110°F using a kitchen thermometer to activate the yeast correctly.
- Add warm water and olive oil to the bread machine pan first, ensuring liquids are evenly distributed across the bottom.
- Layer dry ingredients in the following order: bread flour, sugar, salt, creating a small well in the center of the flour mixture.
- Pour active dry yeast into the well, ensuring it does not directly contact the salt, which can inhibit yeast activation.
- Select the "dough" cycle on your bread machine, which typically takes approximately 90 minutes for mixing, kneading, and first rise.
- Once dough cycle completes, gently remove dough and punch down to release air bubbles.
- Sprinkle work surface lightly with flour and roll dough into a rectangular shape approximately 1/2 inch thick.
- Distribute shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across the dough surface, leaving a small border around edges.
- Arrange pepperoni slices over cheese layer and sprinkle Italian seasoning across the top.
- Carefully roll the dough into a tight log, pinching seams and ends to seal ingredients inside.
- Place rolled dough seam-side down in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan, covering with a clean kitchen towel.
- Allow bread to rise in a warm, draft-free area for approximately 45 minutes until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 375°F during final rising period.
- Brush top of loaf with additional olive oil and make 2-3 small diagonal slits to allow steam escape.
- Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 190-200°F.
- Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to complete cooling.
- Slice and serve warm, optionally with marinara sauce for dipping.
Tips
- Temperature is Key: Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure your water is exactly 110°F. This precise temperature activates the yeast perfectly, guaranteeing a light and fluffy texture.
- Yeast Placement Matters: Always create a small well in the flour and add yeast last to prevent direct contact with salt, which can kill the yeast's rising power.
- Rising Environment: Find a warm, draft-free spot for your dough's final rise. A slightly warm oven (turned off) or near a sunny window works wonders.
- Don't Overwork the Dough: When rolling and shaping, be gentle to maintain the bread's delicate texture.
- Check for Doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 190-200°F for perfectly baked bread.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping, or let it cool completely and slice for amazing sandwiches and toast.
- Storage Tip: Wrap cooled bread in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 15mg
